The title of the hardest class on campus is highly sought after, with only one teacher holding it. The school offers a wide range of classes, from relatively easy to incredibly challenging.
According to Stella Griggs (11), AP World History was one of her most demanding classes, but also one of her favorites. She mentioned, “It was one of my favorite classes, no matter how difficult or time-consuming”.
Samantha Bennett’s exam pass rate is 97.4%, with all students who take the class passing the exam. Many students find the pace of the class to be quick, but manageable once they’ve adapted to the routine. Bennett is very good at teaching her kids how to apply their knowledge in different types of assessments.
Additionally, other classes such as AP Physics, AP Literature, AP Chemistry, and several others are also known as the toughest classes at Plant. Some argue that AP science classes are the most challenging. Students say this because science is usually hard enough, not on an AP level.
According to Kimberly Marr, Plant’s AP Chemistry teacher, the class is not easy but beneficial. Marr rates her class at about 8-9 in terms of rigor. She said, “AP Chem is seen as one of the most challenging AP classes at the school, but there is a need for it.
The class helps students become successful, which also helps me become a better chemistry teacher.” Marr’s pass rate is about 79.5%, but she emphasizes that the only way to fail the class is to not turn in your work or not show up to class.
Similarly, many students find AP Biology to be tough, and Kurt Thoreson, who teaches this class at Plant, rates his class a 9 on the rigorous scale. Thoreson has a 90% pass rate on the exam and a 100% class pass rate. Although these classes have a reputation for being extremely difficult, they seem to be worth taking due to the remarkably high exam pass rate.
Shifting from core classes, how do ambitious courses that are not part of the core curriculum fare?
Foreign language is a struggle for many students who did not grow up familiar with the language. Many students complete the first 2-3 years of a foreign language and decide they have fulfilled their language credits. Nonetheless, the Plant offers an exceptional language program that includes Spanish and Latin.
The AP Latin teacher, John Henson, emphasizes the value of teaching the class. He explained, “When I took Latin, I didn’t have a class that hard until college. I think there is value in learning Latin despite the public school situation and the struggle people seem to have with completing the work. When it’s not a split class and overcrowded, we move at a decent pace”.
Despite some kids who do not turn in their work, Latin offers so much new and interesting language and cultural information.
Along with a difficult non-core class, AP Art History is a memorable class for many students. AP Art History is a class that requires lots of memorization, rather than skill. William Renninger, the AP Art History teacher has an exam pass rate of about 97.5%.
“I teach this class because I love the subject, and I love my job,”Renninger said. Many students report the class to be interesting and worthwhile.
If you are considering taking any of these classes at Plant, they are worth the challenge! Everyone has many different opinions, but these classes seem to take the title of the “Hardest class at Plant”, especially AP World History and AP Chemistry. I find these classes deserving of the title they earned. Do you agree?